LL Bean to give up to $1M to National Park Foundation

FREEPORT, Maine — L.L. Bean is giving up to $1 million to the National Park Foundation with a goal of increasing family outdoor recreation and getting children to visit national parks.

The Maine-based outdoors retailer says the Million Moment Mission aims to get people to share stories, ideas and photos of outdoor experiences online. L.L. Bean will donate $1 for each of them, up to $1 million.

The announcement on Wednesday follows a survey by L.L. Bean and the National Park Foundation that found that 59 percent of parents said busy schedules were an impediment to getting outdoors.

L.L. Bean CEO Chris McCormick says the founder of the 100-year-old company felt that being outdoors was “fundamental to happiness” and that belief continues to drive the company today.